This second volume in the series raises more questions even as Nanoko and Mao think that they are getting close to the demon Byoki. Despite their different timelines, both Nanoko and Mao start remembering things that call into question everything that they though they knew about themselves and Byoki. Once again, this volume ends on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

Curses and demons and betrayal, oh my! Mao, Nanoka, and Otoya uncover the sinister dealings of a cult centered on a prophetess who's visions have faded except for one - the world ending in fiery turmoil. As Nanoka spends some time in the present researching what this could mean, Mao finds a mysterious church built over the town's keystone, filled with bloodsucking nuns - could they be servants of Byoki?
We get some back story for Mao courtesy of Otoya, and Nanoka remembers some odd things about the day her parents died after taking some medicine Mao gave her. Plus, you know, there's a cliffhanger ending. On to volume 3!

#MaoVol2 #NetGalley

OK, I'm pretty sure that I already gave a review for this series several times, but I'm going to write one again just in case. I love this series and it has been one of the new mangas that I look forward to the most!! I don't know what time period it goes back in time to, but its semi-feudal semi modern society with suits while still being old timey, and I think that's super original! Also, cat demons!!!

The mystery of the two worlds continue too unravel in this work, yet I do not find myself getting hooked onto the story. The fight scenes are not much to enjoy and the story lacks the kind of punch/charm as I would expect from a Rumiko Takahashi work. It does have the signature look, which may work for those who are nostalgic, yet I do not find it working for me, even as a fan. This is not a title that I see myself willing to continue, and I think this would entice people who are diehard Rumiko Takahashi fans or those who are new to her work.

This volume picks up where the last one left off. Nanoka is still trying to figure out what is going on with the portal, Mao, and herself. There is some strange time difference when she travels between the portals. One day or one week or even one month could pass when she's in the other world. For some reason her grandparents cover for her and aren't that surprised and don't ask for any explanation. When Nanoka is in the other world she's trying to help Mao and his assistant fight demons and find his rival, Byoki. These books have been really compelling and I'm interested to see where they go.

Nanako and Mao continue to battle some evil deeds that are coming out of a local shrine. The priestess is able to predict the deaths of villagers, with amazing accuracy. However, there is some Tom-foolery at play, and the curses are not what they seem. Mao is able to release the demonic spirit that has been harnessed to carry out the curses, and the spirit rebounds upon the caster. On her way to jail, the priestess predicts the end of the world: fireballs engulfing the town while a huge earthquake rips open the streets. Nanako goes back to her time to research what this event could be, and finds it coincides with a terrible earthquake that does much of what the priestess said. She goes back to Mao’s time to try and prevent or at least save some of the townsfolk, but like everything in Mao’s time, the historical record of what happens isn’t as accurate as the truth, especially when more evil spirits — and possibly Byouki — are involved.
The first volume of this series had a few hiccups and made me really nostalgic for InuYasha, but the second volume is starting to establish this story as its own series. There are still some great horror elements like Mermaid Saga, where Takahashi takes something sort of "normal" and makes it more horrific. In this one, we have ghost/demon nuns, which we've seen before in horror, but to make them worse, they turn into giant mosquitos, still wearing the nun outfits, and they fly around, sucking the blood out of townsfolk. I also enjoy learning about some historical moments from Japan, even if they are colored a bit by the presence of demons.

VIZ rates this for Teen Plus, most likely because of the violence.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12

I like the playing with the timeline, the depth of the fortune teller story, and the powers and determination of the main characters. It just feels like a lot of the narrative tension comes from other characters keeping the point of view character in the dark about what is going on.

I LOVE this series! The artwork, the storyline, the mystery of what she is and what her family is hiding from her, and the hero! So aloof, so powerful, such an enigma!

MOR MONSTER WANT MOR!!

This is a series I will definitely recommend at my store and I am collecting in in physical format for my newly started personal manga library, as this is one I will be re-reading as each new volume comes out.

5, how could I give it anything less, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Viz Media LLC for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

This volume is a little slower than volume one, but carries the promise and hope that this may be Takahashi's best work. It is certainly her best female lead. I've already sold several copies of book one and will continue to suggest book two.

This volume was just as good as the first volume! In this one we follow Nanako as she tries to come to terms with her new found powers. We see her and her friends doing some research to try and see what's going on. We also have a run in with Lady Shoko - who seems to be running some sort of cult. They try to bring her down without incurring the wrath of her zealous cult followers. Can they do it? You'll have to read this volume to find out! I would highly recommend checking out this series - especially if you are a fan of the supernatural genre.

The twists keep coming in Mao Volume 2 as the Nanoka and Mao’s quest for cat-demon Byoki picks up speed as they investigate a strange cult. The manga is Eisner Hall of Fame member Rumiko Takahashi’s latest series, following a high school girl who can travel back in time to the Taisho era. There she meets Dr. Mao, an exorcist, who may have more in common with her than they initially realize. The series is published in English by VIZ Media under their Shonen Sunday imprint. It is translated by Junko Goda, adapted to English by Shaenon Garrity, and features touch-up art and lettering by Susan Daigle-Leach. Yukiko Whitely is behind the cover and interior design, and the volume is edited by Annette Roman.

Mao Volume 2 picks up with Nanoka infiltrating the cult of the Priestess Shoko. It seems pretty evident that the organization is scamming people out of their money, but Dr. Mao investigates to try and find the reason members mysteriously die. Nanoka, for her part, gets rightfully frustrated at Mao throwing her into danger without so much as a “thank you.” Granted, she has proven capable of fending for herself, but Mao’s actions come off as more indifferent than confidence in Nanoka. There are a fair amount of twists in this volume, which are difficult to comment on without spoiling.

A key moment in Mao Volume 2 is when Nanoka realizes how isolated she feels. It adds more to her relationship with Mao beyond just a partnership of convenience. It also adds a much more sinister connotation the suspicion readers might have had in the first volume. Something has been off in Nanoka’s life ever since the accident, not just since she met Dr. Mao. Readers don’t actually know how long she’s had her ayakashi powers, and discovering that seems to be at the core of the story’s mystery. Meanwhile, Mao’s quest to find Byoki is a more immediate presence to allow Nanoka’s mystery to be spaced out in nice sprinklings.



As always, Takahashi’s monster art is creepy as hell. Mao Volume 2 features giant mosquito nuns, veiny and engorged as they drink blood. A demonic mouth bursts open on the side of a man’s face as he is devoured. While blood and overall gore may be considered mild in comparison to series like Jujutsu Kaisen, the concepts themselves may make some queasy. Takahashi’s atmospheric artwork can do horror well even without blood and guts. Finally, there are still fun notes of past works here. Granted, hakama were a common element of clothing so it could purely be a coincidence, but at one point Mao does don a hakama that looks strikingly similar to Inuyasha’s.

Mao Volume 2 is another successful outing for Takahashi’s new series, and ramps up the mystery of the story. Takahashi is clearly a master of the craft, and paces the story beats well as we get to know the characters. Readers have ample time to become invested as we prepare for the rug to inevitably be pulled out from under us.

It's a typical Rumiko Takahashi story that continues where the first volume of Mao left off. It's not going to win any awards, but it's a decent tale with decent artwork.

Last time (On Dragon Ball Z), Nanoka saved Mao by being able to lift his sword that no one else can. So obviously, this episode has the immediate follow up for that. Nanoka, Mao, and Mao’s helper Otoya investigate a mysterious cult by Princess Shoko. A cult that is eventually brought to justice. So clearly, this volume is setting up a lot of things. For instance, it is expanding the world of Mao that was presented in the first one and increasing the stakes of the situation at hand. something this Volume very easily does. It is still well paced as ever and I really enjoy all of it I suppose.

The major point of this volume was the exploration of the mechanics of this world. For instance, what amount of time different occurs between Nanoka from the modern era to the taisho era, the devastation that are about to come, and even how Mao is not as strong as he appeared in the first volume. He has a realistic limitation for all of this. There is a strong Inuyasha vibe to the scenes when Nanoka appears back in the modern world just like Kagome, but this manga obviously is still very refined and knows the story it wants to tell. The group is still after Byoki, but I think this journey might be shorter. Or not.

What intrigued me the most about this manga volume was learning more about Japanese culture. Knowing about the great incident that happened to Tokyo in the Taisho era (you can read my Red Mars post to know more about this), it’s interesting to learn a bit more about the old Japanese lore about tectonic plates. Cat fish. That was something which was brought up in The Ultraman by the joke character and I didn’t understand what that meant until I read this manga here. I like learning tidbits like that here. So there is that too.

So yeah, this felt like the standard follow up manga to the first volume and there was a lot to dig into those aspects here too. It is all very well done and not playing it as safe as it could be either. The art is still consistently great, panels are well laid out, and the characters are interesting, and there is so many cool things going on that are fascinating. I feel like Rumiko Takashi has created another great series but I think this one will stay quiet until it gets its own anime adaptation which I would like to see. Very good manga all around. If you are interested in checking out Mao, I would give it a full recommendation.

Diving deeper into the spirt world/time travel? We follow our girl into this dark fairytale. Some questions in the 1st volume I had where answered. Gaining a few more. I vibe with this story. Ghost and spookiness are up my ally. Will buy the volume when it comes out.

The art style is distantly Rumiko Takahashi, with her high stakes story plot. Unlike a certain reboot witch will not be called out. After many years she's still got it.

Miss Nanoka was orphaned when a sinkhole swallowed up her parents and their car in modern Japan. Now-cursed Nanoka is sometimes sent to the same area fifty years earlier. In Mao Vol 2, Nanoka and the exorcist Mao are still looking for the cat demon, Byoki, in that same era to lift their curses. But first, they must infiltrate an immortality cult to investigate their priestess, Shoko.

I continue to enjoy this manga series. The ideas are fresh and ingenious. It’s a mystery/fantasy/paranormal manga you won’t want to miss. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to VIZ Media and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this. The story is entertaining and the characters engaging. I love the art style and I thought this book had major visual appeal.

This is a great second installment to the Mao series. It has a little more action than the first one since it didn't have to set up the story. This volume gave me a better understanding of Nanoka and Mao as characters. It was also nice to spend a little more time with some of the side characters. I really am enjoying that there is more than just the main storyline, it makes this tale of the supernatural feel more real. The fight scenes are not too violent and easy to follow visually. Making this a great comic for most readers. I am going to keep reading all the future volumes because I truly adore these characters and want to see where the story goes.

* I received an eARC/e-galley of this book via Netgalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

I wasn't entirely sure about the first volume of this series, but the second has got me hooked.
The story continues with Mao and Nanoka still on the hunt for the demon Byoki. Along the way, they save the townspeople from peril and more demons. We start to unlock a little of Nanoka's past and the plot thickens.
Although Mao is dressed suspiciously like Takahashi's previous character, Inuyasha, we can see how the manga-ka has improved upon the storytelling. I'm especially invested in the fact that Nanoka takes the time to do her research and look up the historical events for the timeline. I"ll be looking forward to more of this.

Was not wholly as entertaining as volume one but she is doing her worldbuilding in these chapters it seems.
Still excited for the series to continue, and will for sure be keeping up with it as she writes them.

Mao Volume Two continues the story of the series by answering some questions but also introducing some new ones.

Mao Volume Two
Written by: Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher: Shogakukan
English Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: November 9, 2021

The early part of Volume Two focuses on Nanoka fulfilling an agreement with Mao by trying to infiltrate a cult to investigate its priestess, Shoko. Near the end of the first volume, the father of one of the girls who joined the cult died after the priestess predicted that he would due to not believing in the cult. When Nanoko encounters Yoriko, the girl whose father died, she decides that this lead is worth checking out. Fortunately, Mao has sent Otoya to help her out. Meanwhile, Mao has found a curse doll buried near Yoriko’s father’s home, and Mao learns something interesting from this discovery.

Between what Mao learns and what Nanoka and Otoya figure out, they realize that Shoko isn’t what she seems, as well as who the real puppet master behind the cult is. And thanks to Mao’s abilities, he is able to take down the puppet master with their own curse. In a not surprising revelation, the puppet master got too full of themselves and didn’t realize any weaknesses in what they were doing. At least Mao was able to bring about an end to this scheme.

The most important thing to come out of this storyline, though, is the one prophecy that Shoko knows is legitimate… that the end of the world is coming, with the earth splitting open and tornadoes of fire descending. When Nanoko returns to her own time, she realizes Shoko has to be referring to the Great Kanto Earthquake. She asks Shiraha, her classmate who has a crush on her, to help her do some research on the earthquake. Nanako realizes that the Great Kanto Earthquake took place on September 1 at 11:58 a.m., and that the sinkhole accident that killed her parents was also on September 1, around noon. While reading through accounts of interviews self-published by a local researcher, she finds reference to someone referring to seeing a huge cat peering down through the smoke, and Nanako thinks this might be a reference to Byoki, the cat demon that Mao is looking for. She also discovers that a keystone (a sacred rock) that was in the area at the time of the earthquake disappeared afterwards and left a huge crater. At this point, it really does feel like Takahashi is dropping hints of potential connections between the Great Kanto Earthquake and the accident that killed Nanoka’s parents.

Meawhile, in the Taisho Era, Mao and Otoya discover a church near the site of the keystone shrine. It turns out the nuns in the church are ayakashi that want Mao’s body and are trying to drink his blood. The poison in his blood is supposed to kill ayakashi, but it’s not affecting these ones. Just as it seems like all hope is lost, Nanako appears and helps Mao and Otoya get away. Nanako learns that Mao has to drink liquid from a kodoku pot because he needs it to replenish his life force. Otoya tells her that Mao’s body has lived for 900 years and is near its end. Hmmm… I have to wonder if there’s a connection between that liquid and the smoothie that Nanako is forced to drink every morning before going to school.

A little later in the volume, Nanako warns the two of them of the impending earthquake, and finally admits to them that she comes from almost 100 years in the future. Before she leaves to return to her time, Mao gives Nanako an antidote when she’s in trouble and needs strength.

When Nanako returns to her time, she first discovers that a month has passed in her time while she was in the Taisho Era. I recognize her grandfather’s cover story of Nanako being the hospital to explain her disappearance… I guess that’s the easiest way to cover up a long absence, and Takahashi likes utilizing this cover story both here and in Inuyasha. But when Nanako feels that something’s not right after drinking her smoothie, she takes the antidote that Mao gave her… and she finally remembers why she and her parents were traveling on the day of the accident. But having this realization makes her question whether the grandfather she’s been living with since her parents died is really her grandfather. This makes her question what Mao’s antidote really is, and she rushes back to the Taisho Era. Unfortunately, she chose the wrong time to go… because the earthquake hits. And this is where the volume ends, and this works as the perfect cliffhanger.

While I still did see a couple of things that made me think of some of Rumiko Takahashi’s other manga series, I felt that Mao Volume Two did a fantastic job of helping the series find its footing and become something that readers want to continue following. I honestly believe that Takahashi was able to start a story here that has a much stronger hook to grab the reader, which is something that her previous series, RIN-NE, lacked. And while we start figuring out and learning some things about Mao, Nanoka’s storyline opens up a whole new question… is her grandfather really her grandfather?

By the end of this volume, it feels like the story is reaching a climax, but the preview for the next volume indicates that this story will continue past the earthquake. I expect that it’s going to take time for Nanako to continue piecing together what happened to her and her life after the accident, and that these revelations will be slowly revealed as the series continues. And this volume also establishes that Mao is running out of time to find Byoki and get his curse broken. At this point, we don’t know fore sure just how much longer Mao has, but I think this plot point will make it harder for Takahashi to keep this manga going for chapters on end and still have it feel believable.

There were a couple of things that bothered me as I read this volume, though. I found at least two mistakes in the text. At one point, Shoko’s assistant, Sogen, is referred to as “Shogen.” And in the section where Nanoka is reading the account of the eyewitness who said he saw a huge cat peering through the smoke, the word “cat” was “can” (although the picture on the page definitely shows a cat). I don’t know how these typos slipped through, but hopefully the next volume will avoid having those kinds of mistakes.

Even with those typos rubbing me the wrong way, I’m very curious to read Mao Volume Three and continue the series. I think I’m picking up on potential connections between events and objects, and I’m hoping that future volumes of the series will either confirm or debunk my thoughts.